Differential and continuous separation apparatus with controlled parameters for solids and liquids

An apparatus for separating at least one product stream from a feed solution in a plurality of mass transfer stages, wherein the apparatus comprises:

• (a) a horizontal circular plate having upper and lower pairs of concentric circular rotational support and seal mechanisms on respective upper and lower surfaces of the plate, each pair of seal mechanisms defining an annular region concentric with the plate, said plate further having a plurality of openings disposed in at least one concentric circular row in the annular region;
• (b) means for intermittently rotating and stopping the plate through successive stations around a vertical axis concentric with the plate;
• (c) a plurality of cylindrical cells placed on respective ones of the plurality of openings, each cell having an open top and a porous mesh filter at the bottom for retaining a predetermined amount of at least one solid phase packing material for interacting with components in a feed solution to promote a desired mass transfer;
• (d) a stationary annular trough disposed under the annular region of the plate and having concentric upper rims attached to the lower pair of rotational support and seal mechanisms, the trough being subdivided into a predetermined number of sequential zones by angularly spaced partitions that form separate chambers corresponding to said zones for collecting liquid from cells located above each zone chamber unmixed with liquid from cells located above other zone chambers;
• (e) a separate holding tank connected to each zone chamber by a drain line with a valve, for temporarily storing liquid collected from said zone chamber;
• (f) a vacuum line connected to each zone chamber for maintaining a reduced pressure in the zone chambers;
• (g) an annular compartment having an inverted u-shape cross section, the compartment being disposed over the annular region of the plate and having concentric lower rims attached to the upper pair of rotational support and seal mechanisms;
• (h) a plurality of fluid supply means corresponding to the plurality of open top cells, each said fluid supply means opening into the annular compartment over the center of a cell when the circular plate is at each station, the fluid supply means including means for selectively and intermittently delivering a predetermined amount of fluid stream to each cell;
• and
• (i) gas supply means for selectively and intermittently pressurizing the interior of the annular compartment after intermittent delivery of said fluid streams to increase the rate of fluid flow through the solid phase packing material and to assist the vacuum in the zone chambers in maintaining the packing material in the cells in a semi-dry status.